Vocalist and harmonica player John Nemeth grew up in Idaho, exposed to music from a young age thanks to his father's Gypsy jazz records and his brother's collection of rock 8-track tapes. As a young teenager, Nemeth discovered the blues and at 16 was performing live in clubs around his hometown of Boise. In 2001, Nemeth was opening act for Junior Watson, who would become his friend and mentor, and the next year, joined the Junior Watson Band. At the same time, the soulful harpist kept up with his band The Jacks, self-releasing two albums: The Jack of Harps (2002) and Come and Get It (2004). After a move to San Francisco in 2006, Nemeth signed to Blind Pig Records and issued a series of lauded and award-winning albums, including Love Me Tonight (2009) and Name the Day! (2010).